Vanishing Act: Dark skies disappearing

Nantucketers are proud of the island’s history and eager to preserve it. But an important part of our heritage is slowly vanishing.

In her journal, 19th-century astronomer and Nantucket native Maria Mitchell wrote of finding inspiration and perspective in the night sky.

“Standing under the canopy of stars,” she wrote, “you could scarcely do a petty deed.”

The Nantucket Electric Light Company was created a decade later. The Aug. 24, 1889 edition of The Inquirer and Mirror noted that Nantucketers quickly grew accustomed to “the brilliant incandescence” of electric lights.

Seen from space today, Nantucket glows like a firefly in the night. The dark sky filled with stars that once inspired Maria Mitchell is slowly, imperceptibly, disappearing.

To read the complete column, pick up the print edition of this week's Inquirer and Mirror or register for the I&M's online edition by clicking here.

Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted.
The Inquirer and Mirror ~ One Old South Road, Nantucket, MA 02554 ~ Privacy Policy ~ Terms Of Service